“It’ll be fine. Everything always works out for me.”
Manifestation, right? It’s important to keep positive.
Zoe throws her head back and groans. “I thought we agreed to a moratorium on girl boss podcasts.”
“It’s a good thing I love you.”
“You say that like?—”
We’re interrupted by three women banging against the large bay window from outside on the sidewalk. My friend Maisie lifts her sweater and flashes us her hot-pink bra.
“Man, she has great tits.” Zoe sighs, brushing back her frizzy copper curls.
Last week, we got drunk after doing inventory and playedhairdresser. Not sure her wolf cut is exactly Brad Mondo-approved, but an attempt was made. We tried to bleach her black hair, and it turned burnt orange, and instead of trying to tone it, she decided to rock it for now. She’s braver than me and ten times cooler, so naturally, she pulls it off well.
“Yours are great.” I grab the keys from beneath the counter. “I’m sure Wren doesn’t even care that the left is bigger than the right.”
“Hey!”
I duck the book she chucks in my direction while winding my way around the new blind-date-with-a-book display to let my friends in.
They each hug me and Zoe as they argue over whether the new barista at the coffee shop was hitting on Kate.
A silly argument when more than likely the new barista was definitely hitting on her. She has more charisma in her pinky finger than I do after too many margaritas.
“It’s early, girls. Didn’t think I’d see you yet after last night’s karaoke adventure.”
“We’re staging an intervention. You’re coming with us.”
“A what?” I glance between my friends Kate, Maisie, and Sophie. “I can’t leave right now. I have to open the store.”
“I heard something interesting the other day,” Kate says, rushing into my office and grabbing my sweater off the hook beside the door.
She drapes it over my shoulders, even as I try to shrug it off, annoyed. “Heard what?”
Kate pretends to gasp, then fusses with my bangs. I try wrestling away, but she shakes her head, her blunt blonde bob meticulous as ever.
“Jack Murphy is one of the bachelors in the charity auction today.”
I swat her hands away, tossing off mysweater. “Who?”
“Don’t play dumb, Izzy.”
I know who Jack Murphy is, but the more relevant question is, why do I care? Merritt Point has two claims to fame: both successful hockey players—Jimmy Arden and Jack. Well, if the rumors are true, the old Hollywood actress who’s hiding away in her mansion on the east side of town as well. But no one’s seen Jacqueline Truesdale for years.
The point is, I’m happily single. My vibrator doesn’t have commitment issues, and I know exactly what to expect from our relationship.
Details about the bachelor auction aren’t a secret. I knew it was today. I’m just not interested.
“Thanks, but no thanks. I need to stay here. I have a meeting with the landlord tomorrow about leasing the space next door, and I want to go over my numbers one more time.”
“We all know those numbers are solid.” Maisie throws her hands on her hips. I’m short, but she’s barely over five feet. “So, too bad. You’re going. Zoe agreed to cover you for a bit.”
I whirl around. “Traitor!”
Sophie swoops behind the counter and picks up the sweater draped across my chair. “Come on, we’ll be late.”
I shrug it on, annoyed. “You can tell me about it after?—”
